Jews and Thanksgiving

Why the whole world should be Jewish.

No, I don't mean that I'm trying to convert everybody to Judaism. I'm perfectly content to let everybody pray to the God of his or her own choice. If the divine plan is to ultimately have everyone join our people, I'll leave it to Messiah to handle that herculean task.

I'm talking about something else that defines Jews by our very name. It's a character trait that Jews are supposed to exemplify.

And it's something that is needed today perhaps more than at any other time in history.

The reason we are known as Jews is because most of us are descended from Judah. Of the 12 children who came from Jacob, 10 of the tribes of Israel were lost, scattered to unknown destinations and no longer identifiable by their heritage. We, who remained, other than the priests and Levites, stem either from the large tribe of Judah or the much smaller one of Benjamin. Since the odds are very great that the survivors of historic diminution by assimilation or persecution are in the majority from Judah, we are called Jews.

But what is it about this particular tribe, descendents of but one of the 12 children of Israel that insured its survival above the others? It is very intriguing, both historically and theologically, to wonder what special characteristic the family of Judah possessed that allowed it to succeed while most of the remainder of the Israelites perished.

While there may be many answers, a number of Jewish commentators believe the secret of Judah's blessings are implicit in the Hebrew meaning of his name. When Leah, his mother, gave birth to him she said, "This time I will give thanksgiving unto the Lord; therefore she called his name Judah" (Genesis 29:35) - from the Hebrew hodah, giving thanks.

Jews are the people who gave to the world, in addition to the awareness of God, the concept of gratitude.

Biblically, names do far more than designate. They invest an object or person with a quality that defines their very essence and purpose for being. When Leah called her son Judah she hoped that the soul of this child as well as those who would descend from him would be the paradigm of the particular value that motivated her choice of name.

And remarkably enough she succeeded beyond any logical expectation.

What is the best way to define a Jew? Not by our nose, as anti-Semites would have it, but by our name. Jews are the people who gave to the world, in addition to the awareness of God, the concept of gratitude.

Aldous Huxley noted a profound truth when he wrote that “Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Jewish life actively fights against this. Every single day the first words out of our mouths upon awakening are "I give thanks before you, eternal King, for having restored to me my soul." Every single day there are one hundred blessings to be recited, one hundred times to say thank you. One hundred times we emphasize not what we are missing but are grateful for what we have.

If someone lacks this trait of thankfulness the Talmud boldly says there is grave suspicion that this person may in fact not be a Jew!

Thankfully – and the pun is intended – others incorporated this idea into their traditions as well. The pilgrims who came to the American shores were steeped in the ideas of the Bible. In 1621, when the colonists in Plymouth Massachusetts survived a harsh winter and were blessed with a bountiful harvest, they recalled the Torah holiday of Sukkot and in imitation celebrated the first American Thanksgiving.

The requirement to acknowledge received blessings, without taking them for granted, should certainly be recognized as basic civilized behavior.

And yet the concept that stands in direct opposition to it seems to have become the guiding principle for so many in contemporary societies.

On a simple level, have you noticed how infrequently one hears the words "thank you" today? That's because whatever courtesy you may extend to others, no appreciation is deemed necessary because, after all, they're entitled.

Everyone is entitled to everything in a world where "entitlements" aren't just the names for government programs. They are the premise for the assumption that has been instilled in us by the advertising that tells us "you deserve the best"; by the self-esteem movements that condition us into believing we are so perfect already we don't have to struggle for anything; by a culture of hedonism that ignores the harsh reality that people have to earn their portion in life rather than having it come to them as a God given right, without work or effort.

“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.”

There is an economic crisis around the world. Economists tell us it is reminiscent of the Great Depression of the 30s. Greece and Italy are on the verge of bankruptcy. Even the mighty United States has lost its AAA rating. Yet governments spend what they do not have and people continue their profligate ways - and why? Because they continue to believe they're entitled. Entitled to every blessing whether they've earned it or not. Entitled to divine favor without sufficient expression of gratitude. Entitled to bailouts from heaven, just like the bankers and speculators who believed it was only right that they be saved from the consequences of their horrible financial miscalculations.

More and more, it is becoming understood that capitalism requires a moral underpinning. Part of that must be the recognition that we do not take our gifts for granted. Eric Hoffer had it right when he said, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.”

Let's acknowledge our gratitude to God for everything he's given us instead of complaining about how much more we think we deserve.

And that's why I wish the world would be Jewish - or at least adopt the attribute that motivated Judah to get his name.

About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. He is the author of 19 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, A much sought after speaker, he is available as scholar in residence in your community. See his website at rabbibenjaminblech.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 26

(18)
Avrum Hyman,
November 20, 2017 4:05 PM

Religiousless Holiday

Thanksgiving is a religious holiday -- without the religion.

(17)
Rivkah,
November 24, 2011 11:29 AM

Thanksgiving

We give thanks to Hashem that B'H we will be present in the coming of the great miracle of the Geulah!

(16)
Anonymous,
November 22, 2011 11:35 PM

Necessary reminder.

I love this well thought out reminder. Two things come to mind, namely, the necessity for more Jews in our world, and the emphases on gratitude as a core value in education,
I have always believed that there were not enogh Jews in this broken world of ours. Now, the catastrophic occurences world-wide do beg the speculation upon state of distress and corruption, if the Jewish population was larger, and if more Jews would commit to Teshuvah, and return to a Jewish life expressing Jewish values daily, DESPITE the overwhelming fractured realities we inhabit. My guess is that this world would be infused with such great Luminosity that other Peoples would but follow suit (the trace of light so to speak).
Gratitude has flown away, far beyond the reaches of instruction, and favour. Education is now about corrupting the egos and oiling self-importance - honesty seems to be a side-line, as is gratitude. Humility is not desired, nor respected...so corruption steps in to fill the vacuum, in my opinion.

(15)
Alf,
November 22, 2011 3:14 PM

Simple Response

Thank you Rabbi!

(14)
Thomas Beck,
November 21, 2011 7:52 PM

Stay out of politics

Rabbi, you may know Judaism but you don't appear to know much about politics. The reason our government is, as you put it, spending what it doesn't have is not because it is spending too much but because it is collecting too little. The recession itself is causing tax receipts to fall, and then you have the unspeakable greed of the wealthy trying to pay as little as possible for the upkeep of the society that makes it possible for them to be so wealthy. Yes, people need to be grateful - but cast your criticism on the ungrateful wealthy, not the desperately needy, who have taken enough blows to their well-being and don't need your unjustified scorn added to their problems. Or better yet, just stick to the Judaism and leave politics to people who actually know what they're talking about.

sma,
November 22, 2011 12:51 AM

Not very kind

There is zero scorn in this article. "Capitalism requires a moral underpinning". We all need a moral underpinning or we will be harsh and unkind...the wealthy to the poor and the poor to the wealthy. I think whatever attitude you have toward others now you would have no matter your circumstances. it is a matter of the heart.

Sarah,
November 22, 2011 2:23 AM

Hmm..

No offense intended, but if all you got from this shiur is that the Rabbi cares more about being a good Jew than about why on earth out country is sinking lower and lower everyday, then perhaps you should read the article again, and find something nice to say!

Clevelander,
November 22, 2011 3:24 AM

Yep

You are absolutely correct. Only no one wants to acknowledge how bad "things" are for the 99% of us who are not wealthy.

james,
November 24, 2011 2:25 PM

Simple truth

YOU stay out of politics
If you really think that the government stealing money off people is the answer to it spending too much you are too far gone!

(13)
Dr. Jonas Moses,
November 21, 2011 5:55 PM

Anti-Semites?

Dear Rabbi Blech, while I enjoyed reading your commentary, you make a statement with which I must take significant issue. It is an unfortunate statement, and one which altogether too many Jews make, leading our far more ignorant non-Jewish brethren to assume they are also correct when they speak in such terms. I quote:
"What is the best way to define a Jew? Not by our nose, as anti-Semites would have it, but by our name."
Rabbi, this is a gross misstatement! Respectfully, I am a Sephardic Jew, Sir. My family originally hails from Greater Persia. Thus, I may reasonably so claim to be of Semitic origins; however, this may or may not be the case. Yet, unless you are also Sephardic, or of the Mizrachim, it is highly unlikely that you are Semitic. Indeed, as the vast majority of Jews now are Ashkenazi - ergo, not possibly Semitic. It is a complete, tragic error to state that someone who disdains Jews and things Jewish is "anti-Semitic." Semitic Jewry makes up a tiny fraction of all Jews, whereas the great majority of Semites are Arabic Muslims or Christians.
I implore you - all who are reading this to "get it right." When someone is being hateful because of your Jewishness, he is certainly "anti-Jewish." It is unlikely that he is being anti-Semitic. When I heard our last US president, Mr. George Bush, speak about how some Arab leader is an anti-Semite, it would make be cringe - for I knew that Mr. Bush was completely ignorant of what he was really stating by this...unless he was meaning to say that all of these Muslim Arabs are self-loathing?
I realize we cannot re-write the past. We cannot change what mis- and dis-information has been dealt before; what we can do is change the present and the future. Let's all practice being the smart and informed people our heritage proclaims we are! We are Jews: when we are loved, those who love us are "Judaphiles." And...when we are hated, those who hate us are "anti-Jewish."
Respectfully, Dr. Jonas Moses
Jew and Semite(?)

anon,
November 21, 2011 11:10 PM

lets try a dictionary

With all due respect:
I wouldn't be surprised if an english dictionary would support the Rabbi's use of this term. If so, writing in english, as he is, he's expressing himself clearly and succinctly.

Murray Mark,
November 22, 2011 7:39 PM

interesting point

Dr Moses,
You make a very interesting point. Most Jews are not Semites.
The term Anti-Semite as applied to all Jews is like"Vasalen" is to petrolium jelly
It has been used for such a long period of time it is now an accepted term.

Shulamis Mallet,
November 24, 2011 3:19 AM

The origin of the word semite.

Since the term "semite" stems from the son of Noah, Shem, most of the world could be arguably be called semites, as there is probably some ancestor in every gene pool that stems from Shem. The Jews and Arabs, as well as many Christians certainly stem from Shem, as Abraham was a direct descendant. Unless you want to refer to Arabs as self hating (and you would have good cause to do so), calling Arabs anti-semitic is a misnomer. Certainly most Arabs are anti-Jewish. That term is probably the most appropriate for those that hate Jews. Since the upper 1% of the population pays most of the taxes in this country, and fund most of the charities in this country (and others), it is unfair to dump them all in this selfish, greedy category. Unless you've walked a mile in their shoes and know what sits in their bank accounts and know what they do with their money, I wouldn't be so quick to judge. I know wealthy people that take their responsibilities to society very seriously and are incredibly generous. I am greatly offended on their behalf for the slander that is heaped on their heads.

(12)
Rabbi Larry Nesis,
November 21, 2011 2:10 AM

Well done!

Well done! Acceptable.

(11)
Anonymous,
November 20, 2011 9:20 PM

thankfulness and gratitude are positive qualities that we should all have

i am thankful and greatful for many years of some little things I have.thee father and mother i was born too and the blessing that i have the experience of family even though somrtimes they can hurt me alot.

(10)
Bracha Naava,
November 20, 2011 8:05 PM

Have some Turkey, too

Thank you, Rabbi Blech, for this lovely article. It's true that we take so much for granted. We forget that G-d put us on this Earth to take care of the world, not the other way around. In spite of the fact that we're the workforce here, G-d created such an incredible world, that if we just take the time to appreciate it, we'd see that it really should be a labor of love. What better way to spend your life than by opening your eyes every morning and seeing and appreciating the amazing opportunities that G-d gave us. The fact that we expect more, is nothing short of chutzpah! Anything more that G-d gives us is a bonus. Of course we should sing G-d's praises. The way Americans give thanks is, I believe, very appropriate. They celebrate life and bounty. And the use of a turkey is more than appropriate, since the Hebrew word for turkey is "Hodu", meaning thanks. All the Best.

(9)
Danielle,
November 20, 2011 7:28 PM

Is our religion an only think that makes us Jewish and makes the whole world think of us as jews? I am an agnostic myself and thinking about a whole think makes me nervous.

(8)
Cassandra Brown,
November 20, 2011 7:09 PM

This article says it loud and clear!

Fantastic article! "Let's acknowledge our gratitude to God for everything he's given us instead of complaining about how much more we think we deserve." That statement said what Thanksgiving should be about every day. Thank you so much Rabbi Blech. May God's blessings be upon us all. Shalom

(7)
Mickey Davis,
November 20, 2011 6:55 PM

Point taken!

In the past 3 days I have said a heartfelt thank you to dozens of people. Why? Because I have been extended dozens of kindnesses by strangers as well as friends. Perhaps we could teach younger generations that thank you sounds better than "no problem."
Mickey Davis
Lincolnwood IL

(6)
Elisabeth Soros,
November 20, 2011 6:23 PM

Well written!

Thank You Rabbi! Most of the people of the world ar seeking to find G-d.Unfortunately They are misleded and never had a chance to see clear.The reason Hashem given the Torah to us the Light of the Torah, but share the original messauge in original form. We have the obligation to show example in our life to the rest of the world.We are not for ourselves but for others.Thank You Rabbi!

(5)
Susan Maron,
November 20, 2011 6:11 PM

Thankful, not entitled!

Love it! We truly have sadly beocme a world of "I deserve". Let's be thankful for the opportunities to earn our keep and all our blessings.

(4)
Bob,
November 20, 2011 2:43 PM

Excellent

Based on rabbi Blech's reasoning and his most wonderful article I think the who wold should be Jewish. Oh, I am a practicing Christian BTW.

(3)
Bro Larry,
November 20, 2011 2:23 PM

Not sure about all the "facts" of the article but am in agreement on the premise. Psalm 105, 106, 107 etc continue to admonish people to be thankful, a character trait that should be combined with praise. Thank you.

Jewish Mom,
November 20, 2011 8:30 PM

Most of Psalms is about gratitude.

Go through Psalms and you will come up with a very, very long list, among them, the three you mentioned. Bear in mind that the author of the Book of Psalms, King David, lived a very challening life, rejected as a child, was a fujitive from his father-in-law King Saul, had two sons who rebelled against him, suffered from chills in his later years. Despite it all, he always thanked G-d for being there for him and keeping him alive physically, emotionally and spiritually. The Artscroll Tehillim (Psalms) is worth purchasing and studying for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what it means to have a real relationship with G-d.

(2)
richard,
November 20, 2011 2:02 PM

Gratitude is not part of our vocabulary

Even though it might be part of our prayers, how many of us stop...and incorporate the miracles and blessings with which we are surrounded? Very few I am sure. If we expand our horizons, how many folks do. And if we do, how many folks are successful at translating the intellectual to the emotional? To translate what we know to be true to the joy of gratitude? We face so many challenges and one of them is the way we are programmed. That is the real challenge.

(1)
Mark Feffer,
November 20, 2011 12:16 PM

No "rights"

It has been pointed out that the word RIGHTS does not appear in the Torah. Only the word OBLIGATIONS.
Hebrew, by the way, almost became the official language of the U.S. The language of the King of the Universe, the God of Justice and Love and Freedom could have replaced the language of the British king , the Oppresor.

My nephew is having his bar mitzvah and I am thinking of a gift. In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod. But I want to get him something special. What do you suggest?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a tzedakah (charity) box. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews’ “home town”). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

For boys, a really beautiful gift is a pair of tefillin, the black leather boxes which contain parchments of Torah verses, worn on the bicep and the head. Owning a pair of Tefillin (and wearing them!) is an important part of Jewish identity. But since they are expensive (about $400), not every Bar Mitzvah boy has a pair. To make sure you get kosher Tefillin, see here.

In 1944, the Nazis perpetrated the Children's Action in the Kovno Ghetto. That day and the next, German soldiers conducted house-to-house searches to round up all children under age 12 (and adults over 55) -- and sent them to their deaths at Fort IX. Eventually, the Germans blew up every house with grenades and dynamite, on suspicion that Jews might be in hiding in underground bunkers. They then poured gasoline over much of the former ghetto and incinerated it. Of the 37,000 Jews in Kovno before the Holocaust, less than 10 percent survived. One of the survivors was Rabbi Ephraim Oshri, who later published a stirring collection of rabbinical responsa, detailing his life-and-death decisions during the Holocaust. Also on this date, in 1937, American Jews held a massive anti-Nazi rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In a letter to someone who found it difficult to study Torah, the 20th century sage the Chazon Ish wrote:

"Some people find it hard to be diligent in their Torah studies. But the difficulty persists only for a short while - if the person sincerely resolves to submerge himself in his studies. Very quickly the feelings of difficulty will go away and he will find that there is no worldly pleasure that can compare with the pleasure of studying Torah diligently."

Although actions generally have much greater impact than thoughts, thoughts may have a more serious effect in several areas.

The distance that our hands can reach is quite limited. The ears can hear from a much greater distance, and the reach of the eye is much farther yet. Thought, however, is virtually limitless in its reach. We can think of objects millions of light years away, and so we have a much greater selection of improper thoughts than of improper actions.

Thought also lacks the restraints that can deter actions. One may refrain from an improper act for fear of punishment or because of social disapproval, but the privacy of thought places it beyond these restraints.

Furthermore, thoughts create attitudes and mindsets. An improper action creates a certain amount of damage, but an improper mindset can create a multitude of improper actions. Finally, an improper mindset can numb our conscience and render us less sensitive to the effects of our actions. We therefore do not feel the guilt that would otherwise come from doing an improper act.

We may not be able to avoid the occurrence of improper impulses, but we should promptly reject them and not permit them to dwell in our mind.

Today I shall...

make special effort to avoid harboring improper thoughts.

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